UPS cargo jet crashes in Birmingham, Ala, A large UPS cargo plane crashed and burst into flames while approaching Birmingham, Ala.'s airport before dawn Wednesday, killing the pilot and co-pilot.
The crash caused at least two explosions and spread debris across a long path, according to NBC News affiliate WVTM. A fire that broke out in the sparsely populated area after the crash was under control, Birmingham Mayor William Bell said.
The plane crashed in an open field owned by the airport, WVTM reported. Police said no homes were affected by the crash.
The mayor said the pilot and co-pilot were killed but no other casualties were reported, according to Reuters. The victims' names were not released.
In a statement, UPS said it "has been notified of an aircraft incident involving Flight 1354, an Airbus A300 flying from Louisville, KY to Birmingham, AL" but "at this time we have not confirmed the status of our pilots."
"This incident is very unfortunate, and our thoughts and prayers are with those involved," said UPS Airlines President Mitch Nichols. "We place the utmost value on the safety of our employees, our customers and the public. We will immediately engage with the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation, and we will work exhaustively on response efforts."
Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen told The Associated Press the plane crashed on approach to the airport.
Toni Bast, a spokeswoman for Birmingham's airport authority, said the cargo plane crashed near Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. Bast said the crash site is outside the airport's perimeter fence and did not affect airport operations.
The NTSB said it was sending a full response team to the site.
The crash caused at least two explosions and spread debris across a long path, according to NBC News affiliate WVTM. A fire that broke out in the sparsely populated area after the crash was under control, Birmingham Mayor William Bell said.
The plane crashed in an open field owned by the airport, WVTM reported. Police said no homes were affected by the crash.
The mayor said the pilot and co-pilot were killed but no other casualties were reported, according to Reuters. The victims' names were not released.
In a statement, UPS said it "has been notified of an aircraft incident involving Flight 1354, an Airbus A300 flying from Louisville, KY to Birmingham, AL" but "at this time we have not confirmed the status of our pilots."
"This incident is very unfortunate, and our thoughts and prayers are with those involved," said UPS Airlines President Mitch Nichols. "We place the utmost value on the safety of our employees, our customers and the public. We will immediately engage with the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation, and we will work exhaustively on response efforts."
Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen told The Associated Press the plane crashed on approach to the airport.
Toni Bast, a spokeswoman for Birmingham's airport authority, said the cargo plane crashed near Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. Bast said the crash site is outside the airport's perimeter fence and did not affect airport operations.
The NTSB said it was sending a full response team to the site.
